Welcome to Whistler - Summer 2025 - Whistler Traveller Magazine

WHISTLER - Welcome to Sea to Sky Country

By David Burke | Images by Joern Rohde

Whistler Olympic Plaza, summer concerts.

Those who choose Whistler as a summertime holiday getaway do so for a dizzying array of reasons, among them stunning alpine scenery, pristine lakes, varied and vibrant dining options, world-class artistic and cultural attractions, and thrill-a-minute outdoor adventures. For the sheer variety of activities and attractions, few (if any) places can match it.
While the resort is best known for its unparalleled skiing, snowboarding and other wintertime activities, many locals and regular visitors say summer is their favourite time to be here.

Whistler Blackcomb’s (WB) list of summertime attractions just keeps getting better. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park, which marked its 25th anniversary in 2024, is still North America’s premier downhill bike park. As well, the record-shattering Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the recent addition of the Blackcomb Ascent Trails and Whistler Peak attractions such as the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye cantilevered walkway are just a few of the reasons for a recent surge in the number of summer/fall visitors. In 2019, the opening of the Blackcomb Gondola, combined with the Peak 2 Peak and Whistler Village Gondola, gave WB the distinction of having the world’s first three-gondola lift connection. whistlerblackcomb.com
Whether you’re seeking hardcore, adrenaline-fuelled adventure or something a bit more relaxed, there’s no shortage of options in Whistler.

For millennia, the Whistler Valley was a place for hunting, berry-picking and other activities for the Squamish and Lil’wat peoples, whose shared traditional territory includes the valley. European fur trappers, loggers and miners first arrived in the late 1800s. In 1914, the same year the Pacific Great Eastern Railway came to town, Myrtle and Alex Philip put the community (then known as Alta Lake) on the tourism map when they opened Rainbow Lodge. The summertime fishing establishment quickly caught on with visitors from across Canada.

A wintery scene at Whistler Olympic Plaza.

Franz Wilhelmsen and his business partners arrived in 1960 with a vision to turn what was then known as London Mountain into a ski resort that could host alpine events at the 1968 Winter Olympics. With a name change to Whistler Mountain (named for the whistling sound that alpine-dwelling marmots make), the ski hill opened in 1966, but the Olympic dream didn’t come to fruition until 2003, when Vancouver and Whistler were chosen to host the 2010 Games. Watch for multiple sets of Olympic rings and “inukshuks” – stylized Inuit cairns that served as welcome symbols of the Games. You can delve into the community’s fascinating history with a visit to the Whistler Museum on Main Street. whistlermuseum.org

Whistler Olympic Plaza, where medal ceremonies took place during the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics, is a great place to pull out the Frisbee and enjoy food or a drink purchased from a nearby establishment in the shadow of the Olympic rings.
Visitors and locals alike can also enjoy free, open-air music experiences at the plaza on select dates throughout the summer. whistler.com/events/concerts

The resort is home to five lakes, each with its unique character and the chance to go for a dip or hang out on the beach. One of the most popular summertime activities is paddling on the meandering River of Golden Dreams that links Alta and Green lakes. Several companies offer boat rentals as well as guided excursions.
Thrill seekers can get the adrenaline pumping with a high-flying zipline adventure, an ATV or buggy tour, a daring plunge off the bungee bridge, or a flightseeing excursion to a nearby glacier.

Learn about the fascinating and vibrant traditions of the Squamish and Lil’wat peoples, who have inhabited the region since long before recorded history, at the world-class Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre on Blackcomb Way. Until fall 2025, the special “Legends of the Land” program focusses on the passing down of traditional knowledge from generation to generation through storytelling. slcc.ca

Whistler’s growing reputation as a mecca for the arts was punctuated in 2016 by the opening of the Audain Art Museum. The museum features a permanent collection, including works by Emily Carr and E.J. Hughes, as well as renowned visiting exhibitions (audainartmuseum.com). Several private galleries also dot the Whistler landscape.

Top summer and fall events include Crankworx, an extravaganza of mountain biking, music and competitions (Aug. 8 to 17), the GranFondo road bike race (Sept. 6), the Whistler Writers’ Festival (Oct. 30 to Nov. 2), and Cornucopia, a celebration of food-and-drink (Nov. 6 to 16).

Welcome!

For help in planning your visit to Whistler, go to whistler.com.